Food security for people living with HIV/AIDS

“When I first found out that I was infected with the HIV/AIDS virus, I felt so discouraged and did not know what to do. My friends in the Yajai group persuaded me to join them. I am now happily living with my 58-year-old mom and my 15-year-old brother. We work together in the rice fields and also cultivate soybean, corn, papaya and other vegetables. Our family also raise cows and chickens. The products of the farm have become our daily food and the surplus is sold to generate more income for the family. We also use the dung of chickens and cows as organic fertilizer. Plan, the advisor from the hospital and the Yajai group have changed my life and my family’s, we now make a better living. I have a new hope to live for,” says Tikumporn - 32 - ending her conversation with a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes.

Tikumporn is a member of the Yajai Group in the Nongbualamphoo area of Thailand. Since 2002, Plan has been assisting the group, made up of people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) and originally formed in 1999. Their aim is to provide mental support to PHAs and facilitate their access to anti-retroviral medicine from the Suwannakhuha District Hospital and diversify their income.

Bungorn - 33 - a mother of a 6-year-old son - speaking about the effect of ARV treatment on her productivity and quality of her life, says, “In the beginning when I was infected with the HIV/AIDS virus, I could not work. We are farmers so we live from what we cultivate in the fields. After joining the Yajai group I received anti-retroviral medicines. It made me healthier and I could go back to work in the field as usual. I now have pigs, chickens, ducks, geese and vegetables. My life is much happier and more meaningful as I can conduct my life normally. Now I have more energy, I can take good care of my son. Most of all I have been helped by my community and we live together harmoniously.”

Towards income diversification

Members of the group at work

As part of the project, group members are encouraged to diversify their livelihood through organic agriculture and animal husbandry so to decrease their vulnerability to the effects of HIV/AIDS. Group members are given 3,000 Bath each to start their new business. In addition, families contribute to the group funds to reach out to more families and make it sustainable in the long-term. Their produce is used for home consumption to meet the nutritional needs of the PHAs and their family members, and the surplus sold at the market to provide for additional income. 

The project is not only increasing the group members' income and food supply, but it is also having a very strong effect on the self-esteem of its members and playing an important role in encouraging new members to join the group.

The coordinator of the programme, Mr. Pipop Hassa, says that the crucial factors in the success of the programme have been the process of learning and sharing ideas with the community on the project design and management. He says: “I am proud to be a part of this challenge and help people to achieve their goal together. For me the project not only guarantees the food security of the PHA group but it also increases the self-esteem of the members so that they can live in their community more comfortably and happily. I count this as one of the rewards of my job.”

By Pantus Ruttakijvijun Na Nakhorn, Chalin Subpamong and Kasinee Silapee, Plan Thailand